A rotating disco ball created a glittery ambience in the almost 3,000-capacity music venue, The Bellwether, located in downtown Los Angeles. Not only was general admission full, but a couple hundred more lined the balcony in anticipation of Bôa. A light murmur floated over the crowd of generations old and new, from your Dad to your little sister, discovering them for the first time this year. As the lights went down, with the stage barely visible, claps and yells filled the crowd as each member walked out under the red lights. A center spotlight highlighted Jasmine Rodgers as she started the ever-so-edgy lyrics of ‘Deeply’ off their infamous album “Twilight”. The British rock band known for their guitar-heavy sound reeled it back with the acoustic-forward song ‘Seafarer’. The song talks about a breakup and finally letting that one person go, and you coming out better on the other side. The lyrics “ no more solace in my hands, I’ll turn it into something better”. The person having baggage that wasn't yours to relieve. And that “darkness” being let go with that person.
Songs like ‘Beautiful and Broken’ or ‘Get There’ created an ambience that you couldn't curate out of thin air; Rodgers had a voice that was a whisper above the strings, reeling you in every chance you got. A melodic essence created a sway amongst the crowd that was almost trance-like. They made an atmosphere that felt grounded and present and just there. People hugged their friends and whispered the lyrics into the atmosphere, reminiscing about memories upon the lyrics sung to them. The crowd stood still, ironically, as violins and acoustic guitars filled the room with the song ‘Frozen’. Rodgers' voice enfolded the crowd as she sang about another person’s broken heart, breaking hers after their loss of a loved one. “Because your broken heart has frozen mine, and I'm burning cold inside.” And acting too late to remind them of the beautiful moments they’ve had to release them from the pain they do feel. ‘Elephant’ felt like a precursor to a song like ‘Duvet ’, both with piano and bass arrangements alike that felt almost connected if they were to be put in tandem with each other on a tracklist. Songs like ‘Worry’ and ‘Fool’ brought an edge and movement back into the crowd that brought the space back. Headbangers alike made their presence known, resulting in Rogers joining in on the fun in certain instances, letting her hair down in the act.
As the band left the stage, yells of “encore” filtered through the crowd in hopes of seeing the quartet back on the stage again. The crowd knowingly kept their ground, and their chants were heard, bringing the band out for 3 final songs. “Your cameras are out like you know what song is coming…” Giggles erupted throughout the crowd, and the chords of ‘Duvet’ fell over the crowd. The screams for the song that brought the band back into the limelight via TikTok created an energy that only a few artists get to experience, even 25 years after its release. The song also brought an unexpected special guest. Rodgers brought nü-gaze, alternative rock Bay Area artist Wisp. She joined Rodgers on stage to perform the song, bringing excited fans to a frenzy. The magical moment made the LA show that much more special, making it a once-in-a-lifetime moment for anyone in attendance. The band would go on to sing their final songs, ‘ Twilight’ and ‘Walk With Me’. Ending the show on a beautiful note and thanking the crowd.
- Elizabeth Nwosu
Photos Courtesy of Joslin Keim (For Bell Music Magazine)
